The Relevant Educator

Tom Whitby has presented at many national, statewide, and local education conferences as well as Edcamps. He has contributed to the WISE Conference in Doha, Qatar, an International Education Conference, for the last two years. He served as a social media consultant for SmartBrief and a contributing Editor for SmartBlog on Education for SmartBrief. Tom is a retired Adjunct Professor of Education at St Joseph's College in New York, having taught for 6 years. He came to that position after 34 years as a secondary English teacher in the Public School system. He was also a leader in the New York State United Teacher Locals for 30 years. He has founded a number of Educational Groups on Linkedin including Technology Using Professors Group. He has been recognized with an Edublog Award for the most Influential Educational Twitter Series, Edchat, which he founded. Additionally, Tom hosts The Edchat Radio Show for the BAM Network, which is available as free podcasts from K-12 education at the Apple iStore. He blogs at My Island View and has contributed articles to several education journals and has been a guest blogger with contributions to The Royal Treatment and Teacher's Reboot Camp. He created the Ning site, The Educator's PLN: http://edupln.ning.com/. Follow him on Twitter @tomwhitby. Steven W. Anderson is a learner, blogger, speaker, educational evangelist, and Dad. As a former teacher and Director of Instructional Technology, he is highly sought after for his expertise in educational technology integration and using social media for learning. He regularly travels the country talking to schools and districts about the use of Social Media in the classroom and how they can better serve students through technology. Steven has been a presenter at several educational technology conferences, including ISTE, ASCD, FETC, VSTE, and numerous state and local conferences. He is also responsible in helping create #edchat, a weekly education discussion on Twitter that boasts over 500 weekly participants. Steven has been recognized with the the 2009 and 2011 Edublogs, Twitterer of The Year Award, a Microsoft Heros of Education Award, along with a 2013 Bammy Award - recognized worldwide as the Educational Emmy - for his work with #edchat.

Preface by Peter DeWitt Introduction 1. Connected Learning 2. Social Media in Education Who is Using Social Media Acceptable Use Policy Myths and Misconceptions 3. The Effects of Culture on Change School Culture Internet Culture 4. Social Media for Professional Development and Professional Learning Blogs in Learning Why Blogging? Personal Blog Class Blog RSS Feeds Zite FlipBook 5. Components of a PLN What is a PLN? ...And What It Isn't Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Skype Podcasts and Webinars Chats 6. Education Conferences National Conferences Unconferences/Edcamps 7. Social Media Communities Nings EdWeb EDUPLN Edmodo 8. Getting Started 9. The Connected Educator 10. Apps/Sites for Social Media

"To those educators who've felt like detached retinas in the digital age and those who love and support them: This book is the best driver's ed course for connected-learner beginners that I've seen to date. For those who've jumped in with both feet, this book provides rationale and fresh new perspectives to increase the effectiveness of your connected learning time. Steven and Tom have managed to do something rare in this space. They have built a human, understandable beginning for would-be connected educators. Hats off my friends." -- Kevin Honeycutt, Consultant and Speaker "The Relevant Educator touches on the heart of what it is to be a teacher who feels unsupported and ill-trained in our digital world. Tom Whitby and Steven Anderson offer a solution: get connected to educators online who freely share lesson plans, training materials, videos, webinars, and support 24/7. The book outlines first steps to take and provides information on free web tools and mobile apps that will introduce teachers to online communities where teachers support each other everyday. " -- Shelly Sanchez Terrell, Teacher Trainer, International Speaker, Founder "This is the essential book for learning both how and why educators must connect in order truly be at the top of their game. Written by two of the most genuine and passionate educators who are practitioners as well as innovators in the educational technology space, this is a must read for all educators that is written in a fun and conversational way. The book addresses issues that are at the heart of many staff meetings and gives practical advice on how to connect, engage, and grow as a learner. A must read!" -- Adam Bellow, Corwin Author Untangling the Web "In the 21st century, the smartest person in the room, is the room. It is incumbent upon all educators to connect online with other educators who can reignite their passion for teaching, and share learning and experiences. Tom Whitby and Steve Anderson generously share their wisdom and the "rules of the road" for those who want to accelerate the development of a personal learning network. Their book is a worthwhile investment that will repay itself many times over." -- Angela Maiers, Founder and President "As of now there are about 20 books in the Corwin Connected Educator Series, a seemingly ever-growing set of titles masterminded by Peter DeWitt and Corwin Press. Each book is short enough to be read in one sitting, which makes the collection ideal for book studies and professional development, both during the summer and throughout the school year. Also, each paperback is authored by one or two educators who speak (and blog, tweet, etc.) with a credible voice in the world of connected education. Some of the topics include: Flipped leadership Tools for connecting educators, parents, and communities Blogging for educators Best practices for establishing a makerspace Tools to connect and empower teachers Finally, all of the authors are active on social media, and they regularly present at local conferences, which helps in bringing to life the contents of these books." -- Ross Cooper, Supervisor of Instructional Practice K-12